Accusations Against Russian Military Recruiting Practices
Family and friends of a Russian man have come forward this week, alleging that he, along with others, was intoxicated when recruited for combat in Ukraine. Some individuals reportedly were so impaired that they could not comprehend the situation properly.
This announcement follows reports of rising Russian casualties in Ukraine, surpassing the current conscription efforts. As the intensity of the conflict continues, accusations suggest that the recruitment process is becoming increasingly deceptive. Allegedly, authorities are compelling individuals to enlist while under the influence, targeting those who are significantly inebriated.
One 36-year-old father recalled waking up in what he thought was a detox facility, only to discover he was at a military recruitment center—unconscious and having unintentionally signed enlistment documents.
There are claims that some recruits were misled into signing military contracts, believing they were simply completing routine bureaucratic formalities, like permits for police actions. According to rights activist Sergei Krivenko, “They either sign while he’s drunk, or they convince him. Then, when he sobers up, the recruiter tells him, ‘Look, you signed, now you’re either in the enlistment office or headed to prison. Follow me or you’ll go to jail.’”
The situation appears to be worsening, with recruitment extending from larger cities to smaller rural areas. Security forces are reportedly using police vans and lists provided by local officials to target individuals, particularly those with substance abuse issues, as noted by military analyst Alexei Arshansky.
Some activists worry that intoxicated recruits will not last long on the battlefield, with the military merely seeking “cannon fodder” to absorb enemy fire. Field commanders have expressed concerns about the inadequacy of these new recruits.
Ukrainian military leaders contend that poorly trained Russian soldiers are being sent into futile propaganda maneuvers, such as temporarily raising flags in occupied areas only to be swiftly eliminated by Ukrainian drones once the cameras are off.
Reports have surfaced indicating that criminal organizations profit from getting unwitting men drunk and subsequently handing them over to the military for bonuses of up to 2.5 million rubles, which translates to roughly $31,000.
Additionally, there are alarming reports of the military recruiting violent offenders, including those convicted of murder and rape, to fight in Ukraine before allowing them to return to civilian life. An advocacy group estimates that at least 274 civilians in Russia have been killed by these ex-soldiers after their return from the front lines.
In a viral video, a Russian soldier expressed frustration about receiving “black recruits” in his unit—older, inebriated men who would drain their bank accounts before being sent into combat. “They recruited a bunch of cripples who were mentally challenged and couldn’t even walk,” the soldier lamented.
Further accusations against Russia include the recruitment of soldiers with serious medical conditions, such as HIV and hepatitis, with claims that these individuals are segregated and required to wear armbands displaying their health issues. Despite promises to cease such practices, reports indicate that Russia still recruits many individuals from various migrant communities.
